3 Card Poker – A Primer

Three Card Poker was invented in England in the mid 1990’s by Derek Webb. It was originally called Casino Brag, since it was inspired by 3-card Brag, adapted to create a casino game in which players bet against the house rather than against each other. The name Three Card Poker was adopted when this game was introduced to America.

3 Card Poker’s popularity has separated it from the other fringe “carnival” type games. It seems you can find it in any casino with table games. There are usually more than one table, second to blackjack in popularity. Why? it’s easy to play, is a lot of fun and is one of the least intimidating table game. Here’s a primer.

Play/Ante

The game is played with a single deck of 52 cards. Three cards are dealt to each player who has placed an ante bet and three cards to the dealer. After viewing his three cards the player must decide to either make a play bet, placing an additional amount equal to the ante bet, or fold, losing the ante bet. Following this decision, the dealer’s hand is revealed and there is a showdown that depends on if the dealer’s hand “qualified” as follows:

If the dealer does not have Queen high or better, the ante bet is paid even money and the play bet is returned.

If the dealer does have Queen high or better and the player’s hand beats the dealer’s hand the ante bet and play bet are paid even money.

If the dealer does have Queen high or better and the player’s hand is equal to the dealer’s hand the player’s ante and play bets are returned.

If the dealer does have Queen high or better and the player’s hand is worse than the dealer’s hand the ante and play bet are lost.

3-Card Poker Table

An additional bonus is also payed on the ante bet irrespective of dealer’s hand or outcome of the hand if the player holds a strong hand

Even money for a straight

4 to 1 for three of a kind

5 to 1 for a straight flush

Pair Plus Payout

There is also the Pair Plus wager, special side bet, is based on whether or not you will be dealt a pair or better. The result of a Pair Plus® bet depends only on the three cards dealt to the player – the dealer’s cards are irrelevant. The Pair Plus® bet is lost if the player does not hold a pair or better. Winning hands are paid as follows:

Even money for a pair

4 to 1 for a flush

6 to 1 for a straight

30 to 1 for three of a kind

40 to 1 for a straight flush

A winning Pair Plus® hand is paid out even if the player folds, though in fact this situation rarely occurs, since with any such hand the correct strategy is to place a Play bet.

In most casinos you can bet on either of the games but some casinos require you to make an Ante Bet in order to bet the Pair Plus portion of the game.

Important things to know about 3 Card Poker

This is a fast-paced game

The strategy is simple for the Ante portion of Three Card Poker. You should fold if you have a hand lower than Queen – 6 -4 and you should continue and make the Play bet if you hand is higher. Yup, that’s all!

The hand rankings are not the same as the other poker games. Because only three cards can be dealt to any single player, the poker hands that they must create should be made up of three cards only, and thus have a slightly different hierarchy. The main difference is the juxtaposition of the flush and straight. Here are common pay tables for the bonus “Pair Plus” ante – some better than others:

Common Pay Structures

Hand Type

A

B

C

D

Straight Flush

40-1

40-1

40-1

40-1

3 of –a kind

30-1

25-1

30-1

30-1

Straight

6-1

6-1

5-1

6-1

Flush

4-1

4-1

4-1

3-1

Pair

1-1

1-1

1-1

1-1

House Edge

2.32

3.49

5.90

7.28

For all of the mathematical breakdown, go to the Wizard of Odds website below, or click on the link to the right.

3 card poker – 6 card bonus

Three Card Poker 6 Card Bonus (TCP) is a Three Card Poker game that utilizes a player-dealer position. As in other games featuring a player-dealer, the players play against another player who will collect all winnings and pay all losing wagers to the extent that their wagers covers. The 6 Card Bonus is an additional optional bonus bet for Three Card Poker. The rules are as follows:

1. A player shall only place a 6 Card Bonus wager if he/she has also placed an Ante wager prior to the initial deal.

2. 6 Card Bonus wagers must be placed prior to the initial deal.

3. See the collection rate schedule for restrictions on the amount that may be wagered on the 6 Card Bonus Bet and any collection fees that may be taken.

4. The 6 Card Bonus wager considers the three cards dealt to the player’s hand and the three cards dealt to the player-dealer’s hand. A player then uses any of those six cards, regardless of the number of cards used from their hand or the player-dealer’s hand, to make the best possible five card poker hand.

5. If the player’s hand qualifies for payouts, the player is paid according to the posted pay below by the player-dealer.

6. If the player’s hand does not qualify for payouts, the player-dealer collects the 6 Card Bonus wager.

7. The player-dealer will pay all winning 6 Card Bonus wagers and will collect all losing 6 Card Bonus wagers.

8. The 6 Card Bonus wager may win or lose regardless of the outcome of the Ante wager. The 6 Card Bonus wager shall not be forfeited if the player folds their hand and does not place a Play wager.

9. Once the player-dealer’s wager has been exhausted, the wagers not covered by the player-dealer will be returned to the players.

10. Winning 6 Card Bonus wagers pay as follows:

3 card poker 6 card bonus

For those poker players and enthusiasts who are in search for something new but still want the same exciting aspects and elements of the poker game, why not try three card poker? Lowest limits in most casinos are $5 ($10 for both ante bets).

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When Gambling Isn’t Fun Anymore

Gambling Addiction is a serious illness progressive in its nature. It affects the person who gambles as well as many around them – family, co-workers and friends. If you wonder if the fun has stopped, and the compulsiveness has begun, go to the following Gamblers Anonymous site and answer a quick 20 questions. It may save your life.